Obama takes commanding lead

DAVID ESPO
AP Special CorrespondentPublished: November 6, 2012 11:34PM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama took command of the fierce race for the White House Tuesday night, capturing battleground Ohio from Mitt Romney and edging ahead in other pivotal states despite a weak economy and high unemployment that crimped the middle class dreams of millions.

At home in Chicago, the president all but claimed victory. "This happened because of you. Thank you" he tweeted to supporters.

Romney was in Massachusetts after a long and grueling bid for the presidency.